Blog Archives

BACK STORY

1/28/2016

It seems that much of America was enthralled by the recent release of the Hollywood movie titled The Revenant. Indeed, the film’s star, Leonardo DiCaprio, is up for an Academy Award for Best Actor. And he may very well win. I wish him the best.

Like many others, I went to see the film. And because I have an affinity for historical epics and sagas, I found the film somewhat enjoyable. But what I did not enjoy were all the liberties taken by the filmmakers in this most recent retelling of the saga of Hugh Glass.

In 1823, while scouting for a fur trapping party, Glass survived a mauling by a grizzly bear in modern day North Dakota, only to be abandoned for dead by his comrades, hundreds of miles from civilization. Thereafter, he recovered, and then crawled more than 200 miles through hostile Indian territory to get his revenge. His fascinating story has been told and retold many times.

Frederick Manfred’s 1954 novel titled Lord Grizzly (which was a finalist for the National Book Award in the year of its release) and Michael Punke’s 2002 novel titled The Revenant (upon which the 2016 film is based and from which the film takes its name) are the definitive works representing the back story on Hugh Glass. And the recent film clearly does not correspond at all with their respective plots.

Indeed, an earlier film version of Glass’ story, Man in the Wilderness, starring Richard Harris, came out in 1971. It is arguably much more faithful to the novels, which themselves appear to be closer to the actual historical story of Hugh Glass than does the 2016 film.

I will not spoil the plot of the 2016 movie for those who have not seen it. But I will state that entire web sites are devoted to pointing out the historical inaccuracies of the film. (See below.) And the biggest difference between the real Hugh Glass and Hollywood's recent treatment of him is the way his whole story ends. The real life ending is quite surprising.

Why do I share this? Because I have always found it important to read the "back story". "Back story" is defined as "background information about a real person or thing that promotes fuller understanding of it". Thus, it will always be important to read the novel upon which the films are based, and even the material upon which the novels themselves are based.

Now this same principle applies to far more significant stories than that of abandoned western scouts. You see, in a little over six weeks, Easter will be here. (It comes early this year.) And invariably, as is so often the case, a barrage of Hollywood films, television documentaries, magazine articles, newspaper stories, and webpages devoted to telling the story of Jesus Christ will come out. This is to be expected as Easter unfolds.

But it will be important to understand that what is presented by these seemingly authoritative sources may not always be an accurate portrayal of the actual person (and work) of Jesus Christ. For this reason, it will be very important to check the back story behind this deluge of material.

And that back story can be found in only one reliable source: the Holy Bible. Here, one will find four definitive accounts of the life and work of Jesus Christ: those of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Scholars tell us that these four "Gospels" are actually extremely reliable testimonials to the true life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Of these four accounts, two are firsthand. Matthew and John were members of the original twelve Disciples who knew Jesus personally. The other two, Mark and Luke, were only one generation removed and based their Gospels largely on the information they received from those who had known Jesus firsthand.

So, what is the point? Just this…

In the New testament book of Acts (chapter 217, verse 11), when the Apostle Paul came to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Berea, the Bible says this: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

We would do well today to follow the example of the noble Bereans. That is to say: we would do well to check the Biblical facts that underlie any modern day presentation of the story of Jesus, especially when that presentation comes from a source that has a history of not embracing the story of Jesus as presented in the Holy Bible.

I trust we will do so. For when we do, we may well discover that the real life story of Jesus Christ has a surprising ending - one not often related in modern accounts of His life!

SOURCES:
Manfred, Frederick. Lord Grizzly (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1954).
Punke, Michael. The Revenant (New York: Picador Press, 2002).
SEE ALSO: http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/revenant/.

“PLEASE RELEASE ME, LET ME GO…”

1/25/2016

In my 01/18/16 blog post below, I referenced having recently watched a nature video in which I learned a thing or two about a unique animal called the chameleon. I want to continue my thoughts today with something else I discovered on that same video.

Botswana, in the center of the southern portion of Africa, is a land with a rich diversity of both flora and fauna. The chameleon represents an amazing example of the local fauna (or animal life). And the strangler fig represents such an example of the local flora (or plant life).

Known locally as “Mogo-tshetlo”, the technical name for this plant is Ficus Sur. This majestic giant is a large, fast-growing, evergreen tree, reaching up to 35 meters (or c. 100 feet) high, with large, oval, green leaves borne on a massive, spreading crown. It is common alongside rivers and waterways throughout the eastern and northern regions of southern Africa.

Each plant produces copious amounts of figs. These, in turn, provide food, shade, and shelter for all sorts of local species, large and small, including men and women. In the latter case, the figs are even used for certain medicinal purposes.

But this marvelous plant also has a darker side. Its seeds are small and often swallowed together with the fruit by various birds and mammals. These seeds are then deposited in the feces of these animals, normally some distance away from the parent tree. This, we are told, effectively distributes the species further afield.

Thereupon, the seed germinates in the leaf litter accumulated in another tree, often in the axis between two branches. The fig sapling develops roots that grow down the trunk of the host tree until they reach the ground.   Once thedr roots enter the ground, the fig tree begins to grow aggressively; and it soon strangles the host tree, eventually causing its demise and occupying its place in the forest.

When the process has run its ultimate course, the host tree has been consumed and replaced, often leaving only a hollow space inside the huge root system of the strangler fig. Where a once proud tree of another species had stood, there is now a void.

Ouch! What can we learn from this gruesome, if efficient process of destruction within the natural world? Just this: a big lesson about the dangers of allowing deceptive and destructive things to take up residence in our midst!

In his eponymous New Testament Epistle (1:12-15), the apostle James describes just such a process:

12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

What James describes briefly is seen in much fuller detail in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The third chapter of the book of Genesis tells us how the first humans fell prey to the temptation of the Devil and then violated God’s commands by taking the fruit of a particular forbidden tree into their mouths.

Thereupon, they contaminated themselves inside and out with sin. And in so doing, they brought death upon themselves and upon each and every one of us as their descendants as well.

By God’s grace, the four New Testament gospels record how Jesus Christ, as God’s Son, vicariously died for us; and in the process, made it possible for each of us to be restored to a proper relationship to Almighty God through Him.

But that does not mean that we are not still susceptible to the wiles of the Evil One. In the sixth chapter of his New testament Letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul assures us that we are (6:11).  The Devil loves to deceive us and entrap us in little besetting sins. If we are not wary of his deceit, we can become ensnared and entangled in the stranglehold of sin, losing all sense of joy in Christ and productivity for Him as we do.

I leave you with the admonishment of the New Testament Book of Hebrews (12:1-3) the context of which is each individual Christian’s ongoing “struggle with sin” (as so stated in 12:4):

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

SOURCE: See http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/ficussur.htm.
SCRIPTURE SOURCES: http://biblehub.com/niv/james/1.htm; and also
http://biblehub.com/niv/hebrews/12.htm.

READY, SET, SNOW!

1/21/2016

They seem to be everywhere these days, especially here in east Tennessee. I’m talking about the snow jokes! Here is a sampling:

Q: What do snowmen eat for lunch?
A: Icebergers!

Q: What time is it when little white flakes fall past the classroom window?
A: Snow and Tell.

Q: Where does a snowman keep his money?
A: In a snow bank.

Q: What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
A: Frosted Flakes.

Q: What do you call a snowman with a six pack?
A: An abdominal snowman.

Q: What do you call an old snowman?
A: Water!

Q: What do you get when you cross a snowman and a guard dog?
A: Frostbite.

Q: What did the snowman and his wife put over their baby's crib?
A: A snowmobile!

Q: What do Snowmen call their offspring?
A: Chill-dren.

Q: How does a Snowman get to work?
A: By icicle.

And the coup-de-grace:

Knock Knock! Who's There? Snow! Snow who? Snow laughing matter.

Believe me, after a while, snow ceases to be a laughing matter! After one storm earlier in the week that dumped a couple of inches of snow on us here in East Tennessee, we are now gearing up for yet another. And this one is expected to dump even more on us than did the first. At this point, few people around here are as excited about this second round as they were the first.

The beauty and splendor of a soft white blanket of snow laid down by nature can very quickly give way to consternation. And we all know the reason why… because the responsibilities of life go on. Work, school, shopping, church, all these things continue. And the snow, once welcomed, soon becomes an aggravating irritation.

In spite of this, we are blessed to have a vast array of modern tools to deal with the harshness of winter. From snow plows and melting salt to goulashes and heavy winter clothing, there is little doubt we find it easier to face winter today than did our forebears.

And in this little scenario there is perhaps a picture of our greater circumstance as men and women. The first three chapters of Genesis tell us that ours was once a beautiful world. In the state in which God first created it, it was perfect. The Bible calls it the Garden of Eden. But then, the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, sinned against God. As a result of their sin, all of nature was placed under a curse.

The same Bible tells us that men and women have been redeemed by the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. And one day, as a result of this, nature too will be redeemed. The closing chapters of the Book of Revelation describe that world which we will one day inhabit in the future.

Until then, however, we live in a broken world. And part of that is reflected in the harshness of the seasons. I thank God, therefore, that he has promised never to leave us nor to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and to give us the strength to endure whatever we are called to face (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 12:9-10; Philippians 4:11-13; Colossians 1:11-14).

These things remind me that we can all be thankful even in the harsh times of life. No matter what we face, God has promised to be there for us and to help get us through it. So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. With God on our side, we will plow ahead and make a way!

SOURCE: http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/weatherjokes/snowjokes.html.

BACK AND FORTH

1/18/2016

Nature presents us with an astounding array of animals, most all of which are noted for some peculiar distinction and/or particular specialty. Recently, while watching a nature video, I learned a thing or two about one such unique animal: the famed chameleon.

"Lelobu" is the Bantu Setswana Language term for the chameleon. The lelobu is noted for several things. First, it is very slow moving. It takes its time as it moves among the trees and branches, often rocking back and forth in near prefect mimicry of a limb gently blowing back and forth in the wind.

Second, as most everyone already knows, it has the ability to modify its color so as to blend more effectively into its background. It is obvious that each of these characteristics help the animal to survive as it first evades predators and then as it hunts for its own sustenance.

But the Lelobu has one other characteristic for which it is chiefly noted by the local Motswanan people of Botswana. It has the unique ability to move each of its eyes individually. Each eye, located on the side of its head, can pivot and look toward the back the side, or the front, independently of the other eye. Thus, this animal is noted and respected for its ability both to look forward and to look backward at the same time.

As we reach the middle of January, we are now 1/24th of the way into the new year. By comparison, if the entirety of the year 2016 were compressed into a single day, we would already be at 1am on the clock. (Wow! Where does time go?)

In any event, no doubt many of us took the opportunity a scant two weeks ago to look backward and forward at the same time. And in the process, a good many of us made resolutions about changes for the better that we might like to see in our lives.

Since then, we have crept forward slowly but imperceptibly into the new year. Now, two weeks in, perhaps we should each pause and again take a look ahead and behind. As we do, the likely questions will be: “What have we done to make progress toward my resolution(s)? What have I not done? What should I now do?”

We have all seen the past. And we should always keep one eye on it. For its represents our heritage. It tells us where we have come from. But we should never go forward with both eyes behind us. That is sheer folly. Rather, it behooves us always to keep one eye on the future as well. If not, how can we possibly hope to know where we are going?

And along the way, it is wise to roll one’s eyes around to see what is actually happening all around us. For this might well also influence where we need to look for the future.

Little wonder then, that the Psalmist prayed that Lord might open his eyes in order that he might see (Psalm 119:18 NIV). Or that the Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians to “keep their eyes open” (I Corinthians 16:13 MSG). For such advice is worthy to be heeded, both in the physical world and also in the spiritual one.

SAVING LIVES, ADDING VALUE

1/14/2016

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is famed far and wide for its grandeur. Indeed, seeing this iconic structure is considered a “bucket list” item by a great many people today.

Of course, the primary purpose for this bridge is not to provide tourism dollars for the local community, or even splendor for the visitor's eye, but rather to provide safe passage over a treacherous channel filled with swift and often dangerous ocean currents flowing in and out of San Francisco Bay.

Sadly, for some, it fulfills yet another purpose as well - one that is not nearly so palatable. Since 1937, when the bridge opened, authorities have recovered more than 1,200 lifeless bodies of people who have jumped to their deaths from the bridge. (Some put the estimates in excess of 1,600 bodies.)

Accordingly, a July 24, 2014 article in USA Today Newspaper by Marco della Cava titled "Foiling Death on Golden Gate Bridge" reveals an interesting, if often unknown, fact about this magnificent structure…

Ever since the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, people have been jumping off it to their deaths, about 1,200 to date. After eight decades of debate, the board of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, approved funds last month to a "suicide barrier" - a steel-cable safety net that will run the east and west lengths of the bridge - at a cost of $76 million.

The non-profit Bridge Rail Foundation has one simple goal - to install a safety net on the Golden Gate Bridge and stop the suicides. Paul Muller, a spokesman for the organization, expressed what motivates them to save lives: "It's important to understand the value of the lives lost. Those who jump are often doctors, lawyers, teachers, people who can contribute a great deal to society. Saving them means adding to our community."

Van Morris, Senior Pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, points out the significance of the last statement in della Cava’s article for National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, which is to be observed this coming, Sunday, January 17, 2016.

He reminds us that Paul Muller's quote at the end of the article also applies perfectly to the lives of the unborn, especially these two lines: "It's important to understand the value of the lives lost … Saving them means adding to our community."

Would that we had as many safety nets as possible in place to safeguard the value and sanctity of every human life! If you would like to know more about ways to be involved in saving lives, and thereby adding value to our community and our world, please check out the following websites:

Local (East Tennessee): http://knoxvillehope.com/.
State of Tennessee: http://www.tennesseerighttolife.org/.

(Obviously, for those not living in East Tennessee, web searches will quickly allow most anyone, anywhere, to locate similar local ministries in his or her vicinity that affirm life and offer opportunities for involvement to that end.)

National: https://www.lifemattersww.org/Home.aspx and http://erlc.com/life.

SOURCE: Marco della Cava, "Foiling Death on Golden Gate Bridge," USA TODAY (7-24-14), as referenced at “News That Illustrates” for December, 2014, on Christianity Today’s "preaching today" website.

Van Morris can be found at: http://calvarychristiancenter.net/staff-leadership.

WELCOME BACK

1/11/2016

Whenever I find myself needing a good laugh, I love to listen to Jerry Clower, who was a gifted comedian of a generation ago. Among the cast of characters in his repertoire were his kinsfolk, the infamous Ledbetters, who all resided down around the Mississippi/Louisiana border. For this reason, he often told stories about them, their exploits, and their locale.

One of my favorites has to do with the annual stockholders meeting of Delta Airlines. He related it in various versions down through the years; but the gist of it is this…

Delta Airlines got started when a county agent named Woolman in Monroe, Louisiana, convinced a pilot named Beedenhorn they could fly pesticide on the cotton and kill the boll weevils. Ever since, the annual stockholders meeting has been held in the small room at the bank in Monroe where Delta Airlines was chartered.

But one year, some big shots decided the meeting ought to be moved out of Monroe to larger cities like Chicago, Washington and San Francisco. A well-dressed man from New Jersey got up and said, “Mr. Moderator, we´re Delta Airlines - The Professionals - and I think we ought to start moving these meetings around to other cities. I represent EIGHTY THOUSAND shares of Delta Airlines stock; and I intend to vote to move this meeting out of Monroe.”

Before the vote, a good-looking gentleman in his 70s, white haired, three-piece suit, stood up. The man said in a deep, distinguished voice: “Mr. Moderator, my name is Bernard W. Beedenhorn and I represent FIVE HUNDERED and EIGHTY THOUSAND shares of Delta Airlines stock... and I´d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of yau´ll back to Monroe next year.”

I share this story today because the month of January represents the completion of six years for my little webpage ministry. I began back in February, 2010; and have tried to be faithful in regularly posting relevant material designed to help people better communicate the message of the gospel.

I did not know if anyone would care when I began this project. But a great many of you must. For I am privileged to welcome a great many of you back on a regular basis. Statistics indicate that I get anywhere between just a few dozen page views to as many as two thousand on any given day. And I am dumfounded that these hits come, literally, from all over the world.

So let me say thank you for checking in. And let me also hasten to welcome you back to www.cleoejacksonIII.com on a regular basis. Your dropping by is what makes what I do here seem worthwhile!

STORY SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for instance, http://www.myplainview.com/article_eb2646bf-a299-5ffa-8c26-fa9c350da12f.html.

FACING THE FACTS

1/7/2016

I have a confession to make. I am a DRAGNET fanatic. I have all 382 (298 without reruns) of the now classic Radio series episodes from the 1940s and 1950s downloaded onto my iPod. I also have all of the 1950s Black and White TV series episodes on DVD, as well as the 1967-70 Color TV series.

Jack Webb was the driving force behind each of these series, as he was with their extensions, which included Adam 12 and Emergency among others.

Down through the years, I have listened to the radio shows while I have walked, exercised, and/or travelled, and viewed the TV episodes as I have had time. Ironically, the catchphrase for which Dragnet is best known, “Just the facts, ma’am”, was never technically uttered on the show by Sgt. Joe Friday. The closest lines were "All we want are the facts, ma'am" and "All we know are the facts, ma'am".

In any event, one of my favorite Episodes is #197, which first aired on March 3, 1953 and was rebroadcast on April 3, 1956 as Episode #346. It is titled “The Big Dream”. (After the first few episodes, all other episodes were titled “the big… something”.)After the ominous, yet instantly recognizable four-note brass and tympani musical introduction ("Dum, de dum, dum!" and technically titled "Danger Ahead"), the episode begins with these words:

"You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Robbery Detail. You get a call that a large market has been held up. You have a good description of the thief. Your job... get 'em." The Plot Extension reads: “An old man, poorly dressed, robs a liquor store and is very apologetic about it.”

As expected, after an extensive investigation, Sgt. Friday and his partner dutifully track down the old man who is the culprit behind the robbery. Later, the interrogation reveals his motive. When arrested, he confesses that he stole the money so he could take seventeen other old retired men he had met in the park on a chartered plane trip to San Francisco for an unforgettable three day weekend, all expenses paid. He adds, "There was nothing we didn’t do; there was nothing we didn’t see."

He confesses that he has never done anything of significance with his life. He knew he would be caught and he would wind up in jail for this crime. Nonetheless, he was willing to pay the price because he wanted to go out with a bang, which he did by spending the entire $5200. He concludes the interrogation with this statement: "72 years and nothing to show for it… Only one thing I can say I did with my life… I wasted 72 years!"

Wow! All I can say is that I hope I do not come to the end of my own life and have to say that I have wasted all the precious time God gave to me while I was in this world. Perhaps you share this very sentiment. I certainly hope you do. If so, then most assuredly, now is the time for each of us to do something about it, not then.

Matthew records Jesus’ classic story known as the "Parable of the Talents" (chapter 25, verses 14-30), wherein Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God…

14...will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,a each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22“The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28“ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I love this story because it reminds us that we have all been endowed with some level of talent by our Creator. Some may have more talents than others; but none has no talent at all. Thus, the universal question remains, “What will we do with what has been entrusted to us?”

Believe me, whether or not we make it to age 72, beyond that, or nowhere near that, we will each eventually come to the end of our lives. When we do, we will invariably have to face the facts regarding what we did with our time on earth. And when that time comes, the question each of will have to answer is: “Did I waste it all?” Let’s hope the honest answer that can be given is a resounding “No!” … Both for you or for me!

SOURCE: http://www.otrr.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/CertFirstLines/DragnetPag
e02.

ENTIRE DRAGNET RADIO SERIES IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: https://archive.org/details/Dragnet_OTR. “The Big Dream” itself can be found in the right hand column on this page as episode #179, dated 53-03-29.

SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/25.htm.

SEE ALSO: http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/dragnet.asp.

SHAPING UP

1/4/2016

My wife jokingly handed me the following piece over the weekend. It is titled 'Twas The Month After Christmas. If the truth be known, it hits a little too close to home around the Jackson house.

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste,
At the holiday parties, had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales, there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store, (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous, meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces, and beef nicely rared,

The sweets and the sausage balls, the bread and the cheese,
And the way I'd never said, "No, thank you, please."

As I dressed myself, in my husband's old shirt,
And prepared once again, to do battle with dirt,

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can spend a winter… disguised as a man!"

So-away with the last, of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food, that I like must be banished
Till all the additional, ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew, on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot, and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore-
But isn't that what, January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet!

Does this sound familiar? For many people, it does indeed. No doubt, many will be making New Year’s resolutions to get in better physical shape this coming year. Alas, not everyone will see them through. I saw a cartoon this past week that depicted the parking lot at a gym full on January 2, but then empty on February 2.

Resolutions about physical health are certainly important. After all, in First Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV), the Bible says… “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

While the emphasis of this passage is on the body, do not miss the phrase “and in you spirit”. This is a subtle reminder that we, as human beings made in the image of God, are more than mere physical creatures. We have a spirit as well. And we should work to nurture, to exercise, and to grow the spiritual component even as we do the physical one.

For this reason, I leave you with the following piece, worthy of your consideration for a set of spiritual resolutions for the coming year. It is titled “I Will”.

Like Paul, forget those things which are behind, and press onward (Philippians 3:13).

Like David, lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence comes my help (Psalm 121:1).

Like Abraham, trust implicitly in my God (James 2:23).

Like Enoch, walk daily in fellowship with my heavenly Father (Genesis 5:22).

Like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to seek God (2 Chronicles 19:2-3).

Like Moses, choose rather to suffer, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:24-25).

Like Daniel, commune with God at all times (Daniel 6:10).

Like Job, be patient under all circumstances (Job 13:15-16; James 5:11).

Like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers (Numbers 13:30; Numbers 14:6-9).

Like Gideon, advance even though my friends be few (Judges 7:7).

Like Aaron and Hur, uphold the hands of the leaders of the church with prayer and support (Exodus 17:12).

Like Isaiah, consecrate myself to do god’s work (Isaiah 6:1-8).

Like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to Christ (John 1:40-42).

Like Stephen, manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek my hurt (Acts 7:60).

Like Timothy, study the Word of God (2 timothy 2:15).

Like the Heavenly Hosts, proclaim the message of peace on earth and good will toward all men (Luke 2:13-14).

Like the Lord himself, overcome all earthly allurements by refusing to succumb to their enticements (Hebrews 4:15).

And that, my friends, is a worthy set of resolutions for a Christian hoping to get in a little better shape in the coming year.

POEM SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for instance: http://www.dezert-rose.com/humor/christmas/diet.html.
RESOLUTION SOURCE: Available in numerous variations, some longer, some shorter. See for instance, http://www.housetohouse.com/HTHPubPage.aspx?cid=8190.

“PEOPLE, GET READY!”

1/1/2016

As was the case for many people, my wife and I spent part of the holidays with family. We have laughed and fellowshipped together during this time; but we have also reminisced. And we have remembered.

My sisters and I have reflected a lot on my father in particular. He passed away in January of 2001, almost fifteen years ago now. And this time of year in particular, we are in agreement that we find ourselves thinking a lot about him.

I remember his mannerisms, his ways of doing things, so many of the little details of which were impressed upon me at such a young age. One thing I especially remember is that he always believed in planning ahead.

For this reason, he would do as much as he could the night before each day so that there would less to do the following morning. He would shave and shower, and then lay out his clothes for the following day. He would also gather the accoutrements he knew he would need for the coming day’s activities.

He would also extrapolate this out to larger frames of time. For instance, he would always plan to get home a day or two early from any vacation he might take. His reasoning was that this would allow him the time he would invariably need to put his life back in order before he went back to work.

Clothes would need to be washed. Cabinets would need to be restocked with food. Grass would need to be cut, etc… He did not want to rush in from vacation and go straight back to work with all of this still left undone.

These days, in all these things and more, I find myself emulating him. And the past couple of days have been no different. My wife and I enjoyed our recent trip out of state to see our family. But we made certain to come home a day or two before returning to work in order that we would have time to put our world back in order.

More than this, we have really tried to utilize the entire last two weeks of our Christmas vacation as sort of an extended “night before”. Recognizing that 2016 looms ever closer, we have tried to ask ourselves what all we could do during this slight lull before the fullness and fury of the new year unfolds.

Along the way, we have undertaken every step we could conceive of in order to take pressure off of ourselves once we return to the workaday schedule, from automotive oil changes to cleaning out our gutters to filing our 2015 financial receipts to refilling all of our soap dispensers.

True, all of these things and a great many more that we have tended to could have all been handled in the coming days and weeks. But taking the time and expending the energy now while both are readily available will surely make life less stressful and us more productive as we tend to our professional responsibilities.

Of course, I owe most of this to my father. He implanted the concept in my mind. I do not necessarily know where he learned these things - perhaps from his own parents. But my suspicion is that, somewhere along the way, at least, he must have encountered certain admonitions of God’s Word that underscored the wisdom of his practices.

Among them would surely have been these pearls from the Book of Proverbs…

“The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” (Proverbs 21:25 ESV)

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4 ESV)

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.” (Proverbs 10:4-5 ESV)

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV)

Wise old King Solomon obviously understood the importance of getting ready. So did my father. I’m glad they were both led to share this wisdom with me.

SOURCE: http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_lazy.